Non-formal Education Programmes and Poverty Reduction among Young Adults in Southern Senatorial District, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study investigated the influence of non-formal education programmes on poverty reduction among young adults in southern senatorial district of Cross River State, Nigeria between 2000-2005. Three hypotheses were postulated and tested. Data were collected using the Poverty Reduction Inventory (PRI). The stratified random sampling technique was used based on location (Local Councils and existing political wards) to select four local government areas and forty local wards. From these local government areas and wards, simple random sampling technique was employed to select two local government areas and thirty wards from which three hundred (300) youths were selected as sample for the study. Data collected were analysed using analysis of variance and independent t-test analysis. Results obtained showed that acquisition of vocational skills lead to a significant reduction of poverty among young adults, and participants’ age on skill acquisition programmes significantly, influenced poverty reduction. Similarly, the results revealed that there is no significant difference in poverty reduction between male and female youths. On the basis of these findings recommendations were made.